My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on January 23, 2008

The diesel news from Subaru continues to trickle out of the auto shows this month after announcing they were developing a diesel boxer engine last year. (post) The first models to go on sale will be the Outback and the Legacy Sports Tourer in the UK in February 2008, with a much slower planned launch in the U.S. The 2.0L horizontally opposed four cylinder diesel produces 150 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque and will deliver over 40 U.S. miles per gallon … and still zip to 60mpg in about 8.5 seconds. With all-wheel drive, and one of the best resale values around, the Subaru Outback diesel will make a great vehicle WHEN it comes to the U.S. For the time being, I’m looking forward to reading the reviews even if they will be from the UK … and will anxiously looking forward to seeing this “smaller than the gasser” engine (2″ shorter) here in North America. (don’t expect to see the Subaru diesel in the U.S before 2010, unless something changes … but likely in a Forester and Imprezza too)

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Posted By RichC on January 22, 2008

Don’t look at your 401-K or IRAs if you are squeamish. Will this be an opportunity long term or a big time recession?

U.S. Financial Markets Numbers 1/22/2008 9:35 AM

After overseas markets headed down on worries about a U.S. recession, the FED makes an emergency cut this morning which hasn’t helped the panic (and necessary cash raising selling) on Wall Street pre-market. DOW futures were down as much as 500 points pre-market and the world bites their fingernails in fear of ‘too little – too late’ in response to the Federal Reserve cuts. Only time will tell. FED statement below.

The Federal Open Market Committee has decided to lower its target for the federal funds rate 75 basis points to 3-1/2 percent.

In a related action, the Board of Governors approved a 75-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Chicago and Minneapolis.

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Posted By RichC on January 22, 2008

Many diesel advocates are anxiously waiting to see just what new clean diesels will be arriving in the U.S. over the next few years. Hardly a week goes by now without some new announcement. For many of us, the Honda Accord 2.2L i-DTEC stands out in the hopes it will be an affordable and dependable diesel for the masses. According to reports from overseas and press reports, the Honda diesel is capable of over 60mpg). In keeping with that theme, their upscale Acura line is being redesigned and they have announced at the Detroit Auto show that they will have the diesel too.

Several automotive blogs have mention that the TSX would be the Acura vehicle of choice in receiving the Honda 2.2L i-DTEC diesel.

The TSX seemed like a likely candidate for diesel power as it is basically the Euro-spec Honda Accord — a vehicle that will hit European showrooms this summer with a diesel option. Honda’s new 2.2L i-DETC four-cylinder will power both vehicles. Honda will also launch a V6 clean diesel in 2010, which will likely see duty in the Acura TL and MDX. The Honda Pilot could also use a version of the engine. “All along, we’ve said there would be a diesel in Acura,” Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor told Automotive News.

Here are a couple links: 1 | 2 | 3

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Posted By RichC on January 21, 2008

As Alan Greenspan would say … “irrational exuberance!“ 🙂 Ebay link.

EDIT 1/21 9:30 PM: The mug has been sold ($1025.00) thanks to some outrageously generous bidders (congratulations ‘dorky54‘). They must have realized that this is a highly prized collectible … or at least appreciate the work of RHM. Thanks to all who placed a bid and participated in the fun.

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Tags: rhm

Posted By RichC on January 21, 2008

A bit of Google code from cute web application below the break. Pretend the box below is a fishbowl/box and use your mouse to ‘click/drop’ a bit of food. Watch the fish swim toward your mouse expecting a treat.

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Posted By RichC on January 20, 2008

Time is running out if you want to rescue “the Mug” since there are only a couple days left to place your bid on EBay. (donations to benefit RHM) Who will “win” the rights to my pouting sister-in-law’s favorite UDF coffee mug?

This well seasoned UDF Mug has kept my coffee warm for couple months now (among other duties — see daughter below) and is looking for a new home. There have been good days and bad days while “the Mug” has been in my possession … perhaps you’ll experience the same? Bid now before its too late.

click photo for a Tootsie assisted close-up

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Posted By RichC on January 19, 2008

Although I tried to summarize it here, the short video clip posted at Mahalo Daily with Veronica Belmont is pretty good.

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Posted By RichC on January 19, 2008

I’m ready … well I’ve been ready … to see a few more diesels heading to our shores. Sadly, I’m not seeing many efficient high MPG clean diesel models coming from U.S. manufacturers.

A recent Forbes article highlighted a few of the new models that will be showing up in the next couple of years and with the high price of fuel, a little more efficiency might be just what many in the U.S. are looking for? One of the models highlighted is the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI due to be available in August. (delayed from its spring release)

The article mentions one of the big selling points: “it will get over 50 miles per gallon on the highway (40 mpg around town), and can go over 600 miles between fill-ups. Prices will start in the low $20,000s, about $2,000 more than a traditional Jetta.”

click for larger image

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Posted By RichC on January 18, 2008

I’m posting from my cellphone since I rarely see a Volkswagen Touareg V10 TDI diesel. This one was spotted in Cuyahoga Falls in northeastern Ohio. (just north of Akron) There aren’t many of these around and those that are do tend to blend into their surroundings.

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Posted By RichC on January 17, 2008

An MSNBC technology article reported that the new Panasonic “Evolta” Double-A (AA) battery is the longest lasting household alkaline battery — according to Guinness World Records. The double-A sized battery is used in many household items from gadgets and toys to clocks and tools. The article states that the improvements are made by packing in more material with a better seal.

They were tested against the famed bunny’s ‘Energizer’ and the well known ‘copper topped’ Duracell. The new ‘Evolta’ batteries were also pitted against Panasonic’s own ‘Oxyride’ branded battery, both which are made by Matsushita Electric Industrial Company (makers of Panasonic branded products). The tests were performed using the guidelines of the International Electrotechnical Commission and the conclusion was that the ‘Evolta’ will last 20 percent longer than other household alkalines. These new batteries will have a shelf life of 10 years and cost about 3% more than the Panasonic ‘Oxyride’ batteries. Keep your eye out for them and perhaps run a private ‘real life’ test when they become available later this year?

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Tags: batteries, battery, panasonic